Under a state government-sponsored scheme, the Visvesvaraya Technological University will conduct functional Kannada classes for non-state students and lectures in culture for those from the state. "There are thousands of engineering students from other states in the state. Since they spend at least four years here, we want to help them pick up functional Kannada. The 'Kannada Kali' (Learn Kannada) scheme is under way for first semester students. We'll roll out programmes on culture and heritage for state students who have passed out of English-medium schools and not well versed with the local language," VTU vice-chancellor M Maheshappa told TOI.
Interestingly, the sessions, voluntary in nature, will be open to non-state professors.
For the full report in the ToI, click here
Another is by the Alliance Francaise, Bangalore. Excerpts from the report in the Deccan Herald, accessed from here, are reproduced below:
“Learning Kannada is like opening a window to the culture of Karnataka” said Chiranjeev Singh, former Additional Chief Secretary, of Karnataka, while speaking after inaugurating the first session of Kannada classes at the institute.
These are indeed the way to propagate the language and culture, as compared to forcing it on through vehicle number plates (which is illegal, in the first place), bus destination boards, etc. May this tribe grow.
Muralidhar Rao
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